Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN a seismic shift that has reverberated across the lanes of global athletics, Africa has not only maintained its iron grip on middle and long-distance running but has now stormed the bastions of sprinting — territory long dominated by the USA and Jamaica.
The last two seasons have witnessed a renaissance, a sprinting revolution led by a new generation of African stars who have rewritten records and redefined expectations.
In just 18 months, the world has been captivated by Southern Africa’s rise in sprints and relays, in which runners from Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have stolen the limelight from West Africans who once impressed on the world stage. Today, they find themselves dominated by this quartet of countries whose weight is even felt at the indoor scene.
For decades, the short-distance track events — the electrifying 100, 200, and 400 metres — have been synonymous with the explosive power of the USA and the undeniable flair of Jamaica and other nations like Trinidad and Tobago.
Yet, a new chapter is being penned by the raw talent emanating from the African continent. While the Stars and Stripes and the Black, Green, and Gold still boast formidable arsenals in the sprints, a potent new force in African athletics is not just knocking at the door but kicking it wide open, signalling a thrilling redistribution of power on the global track.
At the heart of this revolution is Letsile Tebogo of Botswana. His blistering 19.46s in the 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics didn’t just earn him gold — it shattered the African record and placed him joint-fifth on the all-time list. In doing so, Tebogo became the first African to win an Olympic gold in the men’s 200m, dethroning American and Jamaican sprint royalty.
A mere whisper of a name a few years ago, Tebogo has transformed into a bona fide global sensation. He consistently runs neck-and-neck with the very best sprinters the USA and Jamaica have to offer, proving that the era of sprint hegemony is being challenged like never before.
This newfound sprinting excellence isn’t an isolated phenomenon. South Africa’s Akani Simbine, a perennial finalist, anchored his nation to a historic silver in the 4x100m relay, clocking an African record of 37,57s.
The team’s success has been bolstered by a wave of young talent, including Bayanda Walaza, a 19-year-old who ran a blistering 9,94s in the 100m, and Shaun Maswanganyi, another young sprinter showing great promise.
Alongside them, Zakithi Nene emerged as the world’s top-ranked 400m runner in 2025, while Wayde van Niekerk, the 400m world record holder, made a valiant return to the global stage. Then there’s Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, a human bullet who routinely features in Diamond League finals, often leaving established names in his wake.
His powerful drive and infectious charisma are a testament to the diverse athletic prowess now emerging from East Africa, traditionally a long-distance stronghold.
It’s not just the men’s sprints. Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has not only claimed global titles but shattered world records in the 100m hurdles, showcasing an unprecedented blend of speed and technical precision that has captivated audiences.
Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh stunned the continent with a sprint double at the African Championships, while Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori and Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga broke new ground in the 400m, with Samukonga clinching Olympic bronze in Paris. Emerging talents like Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi and Favour Ashe are also making significant strides in the NCAA and on the international circuit.
The future looks even brighter, with a host of emerging talents from across the continent ready to make their mark. Zimbabwe, in particular, is witnessing a sprinting revival led by two exceptional young athletes.
Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba made history by both qualifying for the men’s 200m semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a monumental achievement for the nation. Makarawu, who holds the 200m national record of 19,84 seconds, finished a credible seventh at the Tokyo World Championships.
Meanwhile, Charamba ran a season best of 19,92 seconds to make it to the Paris 200m final, proving he is a top contender. With both athletes running for their respective American universities in 2025, their fastest indoor times of 20,13 seconds further assert their quality.
Other promising talents to watch include South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza, a teenage sensation who has already run a blistering 9,94s in the 100m, making him the fastest
South African under-20 athlete in history. Zimbabwe also has Denzel Siamusalela, with a best of 10,03s, and David Nyamufarira, at 10,01s, who narrowly missed World Championships qualification. On the long-distance front, Kenya’s Faith Cherotich is making a name for herself in the steeplechase, while Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa is redefining the marathon.
Of course, to speak of African athletics and overlook its enduring mastery of long-distance running would be an egregious oversight. Here, the continent doesn’t just dominate; it reigns supreme, a colossal force that shows no sign of ceding its throne.
The names resonate with legendary status: Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo continue to shred world records and accumulate global titles in the 5 000m and 10 000m. Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon is, without hyperbole, the greatest female 1500m runner the world has ever seen, a multiple Olympic and World Champion, and a serial world record breaker.
Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, Letesenbet Gidey, and Tamirat Tola similarly command respect and gold in the middle and long distances, pushing the boundaries of human endurance.
In the challenging 3 000m steeplechase, Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali is an almost unbeatable force, an Olympic and World Championships medallist who has truly mastered his craft. And in the ultimate test of human stamina, the marathon, the names Eliud Kipchoge, Peres Jepchirchir, Tigist Assefa, and the late, great Kelvin Kiptum — all from Kenya and Ethiopia — have etched Africa’s indelible mark on the history books.
Their relentless pursuit of excellence, their groundbreaking times, and their consistent victories continue to cement Africa’s unparalleled legacy in road running.
At the biggest stage this year Tanzanian Alphonse Simbu won gold, underlining Africa’s might in the long distances in a race that Africa had four athletes in the top 10, among them Zimbabwean Isaac Mpofu, who showed the world that Southern Africa is also a force to be reckoned with and that Josiah Thugwane’s 1996 marathon victory at the Atlanta Olympics was no fluke.
With several young sprinters in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe’s reserves, Africa may look to the East for middle and long distances, the West for hurdles and jumps, while the shorter distances and quality representation are assured by the three Southern
